United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife Services Directive 

WS 4.115

11/13/2020 

CIVIL RIGHTS, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

1. PURPOSE

To establish and communicate Wildlife Services’ (WS) policy related to civil rights, 

diversity and inclusion. 

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This Directive replaces WS Directive 4.115, dated July 21, 2008. 

3. BACKGROUND

a. Civil rights, diversity, and inclusion policies focus on current and potential WS

personnel and the people to whom WS delivers program services.

b. WS personnel are committed to creating and maintaining a talented, diverse, and 

inclusive workforce.

c. Every WS employee is responsible for creating, fostering, and maintaining workplace 

and employment environments that are free from discrimination, harassment, and 

retaliation; so everyone can reach their full potential and Program services are 

equitably available to all.

d. Equal employment opportunity covers all personnel/employment programs, 

management practices and decisions, including, but not limited to, recruitment/hiring, 

merit promotion, transfer, reassignments, training and career development, benefits, 

and separation. 

e. WS personnel have full access to APHIS Office of Civil Rights, Diversity and 

Inclusion (OCRDI) and services and support, including processes to report and rectify 

violations of civil rights, diversity, and inclusion statutes, rules and regulations. These 

resources include but are not limited to provisions for filing claims regarding 

discrimination and harassment. 
Wildlife Services Directive 4.115 2

4. POLICY

a. WS is a Program within USDA, and as such, must comply with policy contained in 

USDA Departmental Regulation 4300-010:

“It is USDA’s policy to treat customers and employees fairly and equitably, with 

dignity and respect, regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender 

identity, political beliefs, age, marital, family/parental status, religion, sexual 

orientation, protected genetic information, reprisal, or because all or a part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (not all bases apply 

to all programs). 

Agency officials, managers, supervisors and other employees shall be held accountable 

for providing training to their employees, and where appropriate, to program 

recipients on civil rights programs, obligations and the strategic civil rights goals of 

USDA. In addition, they will be held accountable for acts of discrimination, 

retaliation, civil rights violations, and/or related misconduct.”

 

b. WS must provide a representative to serve on the APHIS National Civil Rights and

Diversity Advisory Committee.

c. WS must maintain a Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to provide 

leadership, resources, and guidance to WS personnel.

5. SCOPE

This Directive is applicable to all WS personnel and programs, which includes federal and 

non-federal employees, volunteers, interns, and individuals conducting official WS duties.

6. REFERENCES

a. USDA Departmental Regulation 4300-010 Civil Rights Accountability Policy and 

Procedures (12/28/2016)

b. USDA Secretary Civil Rights Policy Statement (5/22/20)

c. USDA Secretary Anti-Harassment Policy Statement (5/22/20)

Janet L. Bucknall

WS Deputy Administrator